THE BALKAN MAZE

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 83, 6 October 1915, Page 7

THE BALKAN MAZE

NO REPLY TO THE ULTIMATUM ALLIES' TROOPS AT SALONIKA EXTRAORDINARY INTERVIEW WITH BULGARIAN KING PREPARING FOR AN ASSAULT IN THE WEST RUSSIA'S POSITION IMPROVING

TJp till this morning no reply had been received from Bulgaria to Russia's ultimatum, delivered at 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon. The Allies are reported to have landed troops at Salonika; an Italian paper confirms the landing of a division there. It is expected that the Allies will occupy Dedeagatch and that the Russians will descend on ■ iVarna and Burgas. German papers scoff at the idea of the British landing troops, declaring that they are threats to frighten Greece which cannot be taken seriously. However, the Greek people manifest feelings of gratitude and sympathy at the prospect of the landing. Bulgaria is reported to be asking Germany for immediate military support. Interesting reading is afforded in a report of an interview with King Ferdinand and the Opposition leaders, who plainly indicated that the King's policy was one which could only bring misfortune and compromise on the future of the country and his dynasty. In preparation for another assault the British bombardment of the German second line continues. Sir John French is reported to have ample troops for the future advance. Improvement in The artillery and the advent of huge v reinforcements have enabled Russia to take a firm stand, but she is not yet free from the peril 6f envelopment, THE BALKAN MAZE THE PATH TO SUICIDE s BULGARIA'S SAD STORY / V (By Telegraph. — Presa Association. — Copyright.) (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, sth October. The Times, in a leader, states that Russia has taken the only possible course in issuing an ultimatum to Bulgaria, but the paper fears that the stern protes? will not deter Bulgaria's ruler and pliant Ministers from pursuing a course violating the whole spirit of the brief history of modern Bulgaria in the Balkans. It is a sad story. There has been no sight more mournful or more tragic than the preparations of Bulgaria to shatter every prospect of Balkan unity, marching to battle beside the Turks, who have oppressed the Bulgarian race foB five hundred years. The path which Bulgaria has taken epells suicide.' (Press Association.) NO REPLY TO RUSSIAN ULTIMATUM. LONDON, sth October. Renter's London office learns that at a late hour on Monday no reply to the Russian nltimatum had been received. TIME OF ITS DELIVERY. (Received October 6, 8.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, sth October. A Reuter message from Petrograd says ; It is announced that Russia's ultimatum was delivered to M. Radoslavoff (Premier of Bulgaria) at 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon. ALLIES' PROPOSALS .LAPSE FOR WANT OF REPLY. LONDON, sth October. Reute* states that, owing to the recent developments, the Bulgarian Government must be taken to have rejected the Allies' proposals, to which no answer haa been returned. Consequently the proposals have lapsed. IN UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT. ~" (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) ■ LONDON, sth October. The Sofia correspondent of The Times says it is believed that the Allies are unanimous as to what steps shall be 'taken should Germany endeavour to establish military communication with Turkey through the Balkans. THE ALLIES' ARMY REPORTED LANDING IN GREECE The High Commissioner reports :—: — LONDON, sth October, 5.55 'a.m. The Athens correspondent of the Morning Post states that Allied forces have landed at Salonika. (■Press Association.) _ THE LANDING CONFIRMED. (Received October 6, 9 a.m.) LONDON, sth October. The Tribuna's Athens correspondent confirms the landing of a division of Allies' troops at Salonika. £ GREEK PREMIER EXPLAINS. (Received October 6, 10.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, sth October. A Reuter message from Athens states that after M. Venizelos had explained the landing of Allied troops at Salonika, the Chamber of Deputies passed a vote of confidence in the Government. FORMAL PROTEST MADE. ATHENS, sth October. The projected landing of troops at Salonika has aroused uneasiness, necessitating the British and French Ministers issuing reassuring declarations. The Ministers point out that the Allies have a, mission to defend the railway against Bulgaria and to succour Servia. They will co-operate with Greece if the latter joins the combatants. The Greek Government has issued "a formal protest, against the landing. The public accept the necessity of the step, though they regret that, it Is unavoidable. * A .well J^w,jGigek i ,pQlii.ician states JJiatJ&e.jirafceßb .is a mutant of form-

It could have been avoided if some mistakes had not been committed. It is absurd to compare the landing with the violation of the neutrality of Belgium. Complete unanimity exists as to the governing factors. • If Bulgaria at- • tacks Servia, Greece will go to the Allies' assistance. The Patris, the chief Government organ, states that any attempt to resist the disembarkation would not be approved by the Greek people. The Central Powers have no right to take exception to Greece's attitude, since Greece has formally protested against 'the violation of her neutrality. Resistance would expose ' Greece to certain destruction. The Greek Government's passive protest faithfully reflects^ the counsels which Germany gave to King Albert before the invasion of Belgium. The Greek people are not foiling to manifest feelings of gratitude and traditional sympathy at the prospect of the Anglo-French landing. WORKING FROM DEDEACATCH AND THE BLACK SEA. LONDON, sth October. The landing of the (Anglo-French Expeditionary Force has not been yet announced, but the Greek newspapers comment on the clear assumption that the landing is progressing, or has been completed. It is generally expected that the Allies will occupy Dedeagatch, and that The Russians will descend on Varna and Burgas, where it will be easy to dispose of the few Bulgarian torpedo craft. ( Russia has organised sufficient tonnage for the transport of an expeditionary force to Varna. Even a feint to put troops ashore would detain a large Bulgarian army, which would be otherwise available for Servia. GERMAN PRESS SCOFF AT ALLIES' "PHANTOM ARMY." x BERLIN, sth October. The Frankfurter Zeitung states that England's threats to land troops at Salonika are attempts to frighten Greece which cannot be taken seriously. Il is impossible to see where the Entente could get 150,000 men. If they attempted it, Greece would have urgent interest in preventing the landing. Where England plants her feet she generally stays. The KTeuze Zeitung similarly scoffs at the idea of 150,000 landing to support Servia. BULGARIA APPEALS TO BERLIN. ROME, sth October. The Bucharest correspondent of the Messagero states that General Savoff has gone to Berlin to explain the situation of the Bulgarian army, and to ask German for immediate military support. RUMANIAN GOVERNMENT INVITED TO MOBILISE. (Received October 6, 8.35 a.m.) ROME, sth October. •The Messagero states that the Rumanian Opposition has invited the Government to order a general mobilisation. The newspapers unanimously support the proposal. BULGARIAN BULLET FIRED AT A RUMANIAN. > BUCHAREST, sth October. A Bulgarian patrol opposite Zimmitzu on Tuesday harmlessly fired on a Rumanian fisherman in Rumanian waters. EXASPERATION IN GREECE PRO-GERMAN AGREEMENTS (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) / LONDON, sth October The pro-German press is endeavouring to soothe apprehensions by affirming that Greece is disposed to adopt a friendly attitude towards Bulgaria. M. Venizelos, the Greek Premier, aware of the danger of frontier incidents, has withdrawn the Greek troops a short distance from the frontier. A correspondent at Salonika states that ■ exasperation against Bulgaria is acute. A universally disagreeable impression has been created by the garbled summaries of Sir Edward Grey's speech, posted at the street corners and published in the pro-German press. They were removed later, and replaced by accurate reports making it clear that Britain would not tolerate hostilities against Servia. M. Malinoff refuses to enter the Bulgarian Cabinet unless the foreign policy favours the Allies. ENTHUSIASM IN TURKEY. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, sth October. The Turkish press unanimously hails the Bulgarian mobilisation and the determination to take immediate action to remedy the injustice of the Treaty of Bucharest. 'At a meeting of the Turkish Chamber, the Vice-President said that events were tending to justify Salil Bey's prediction that the Dardanelles would prove to be the Allies' tomb. The Turks are believed to have evacuated Enos, consequent on the discovery of a widespread plot organised by the Macedonian Committee in Sofia. There have been numerous arrests. RUSSIAN BLACK SEA FLEET SQUADRON SAILS WITH SEALED ORDERS (Press Association.) NEW YORK, sth October. A message from Petrograd states that a fully-equipped Russian squadron has left Odessa with sealed orders. It is presumed that Russian is preparing an attack on Bulgaria by Eea and land. ' | The coastal waters are known to be mined. i IT MAY COST A KING'S HEAD AN EXTRAORDINARY INTERVIEW • LONDON, sth October. The Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph sends a verbatim report of the interview between King Ferdinand and the Opposition leaders, referred to in the cables on 19th September. "M. Malinoff, the Democratic leader, addressing the King, said: — "The Government's policy to throw Bulgaria into the arms of Germany is contrary to the aspirations and interests of the country. If the Government obstinately continues in this course, it will provoke disturbances of the greatest gravity." . ' The King "did net reply to this statement. M. Stambulivski, representing the Agrarians, said that, speaking on behalf of every farmer in Bulgaria, he held the King personally responsible for the disastrous adventure of 1913. "It would be irreparable if the adventure were repeated, and the nation would not hesitate to call you personally to account." M. Zanoff, leader, of the Radicals, said : "I had sworn never again to set ' foot in your palace, but the interests of my country compel me to protest at this juncture." , M. Gueshoff, a former Premier, supported the protests and all the leaders handed to the King written communications, Rimming up their views, and awaited the King's reply. After some time, King Ferdinand rose and said: "Gentlemen, I have listened to your threats, and will refer them to the President of the Council of Ministers. He will decide what to do." " A chilly silence followed. The King, pacing to and fro nervously, attempt. Ed to change the conversation. M. Zanoff abruptly intervened : ''We cannot on any account approve of an anti-Russiau. policy. If Bulgaria repeats the criminal folly of 1913, it will be a premeditated crime deserving of punishment." ■ The King replied frigidly : 'The policy which I have decided to follow is that which I consider best for the welfare of the country." M. Stambulivski retorted^ "It is a policy which can only bring misfortune, and compromise not only the future of the country, but your dynasty. It may cost you your head " King Ferdinand said : "T am astonished. Don't mind my head. It is already old. Rather mind your own." [It was reported from Athens on 19th September that King Ferdinand of Bulgaria received the leaders of the Opposition, who expressed themselves opposed to the Government's Germanophile pqjicy, and recommended the formation of a new Government. The King promised to seriously consider the suggestion.] PRECAUTIONS AT PALACE REDOUBLED (Received October 6, 8.35 a.m.) r LONDON, sth October. The Dairy Telegraph s Sofia correspondent states that precautions have been redoubled in the neighbourhood of the Palace. King Ferdinand is hurrying the mobilisation, which is very slow, owing to the hostility of the country fol£